Page 33 of A Ruthless Arrangement
I nod to O’Neil. “That’s right, I’m Irish. Only the best, of course.” I smooth a hand down the front of my suit jacket.
Astero’s expression sours further, especially when O’Neil chuckles and wags a finger at me. “You’ve got quite the silver tongue, young man. I can tell that already. But it’s good. I like the accent, adds to the charm. Astero, you were right to bring him to me. I can understand why your granddaughter is marrying him, handsome, well-dressed, charming. What's not to like?”
Astero recovers his face as soon as O’Neil turns to him. “Yes. I think she made a good choice.” He flashes narrowed eyes at me, and I know what he’s silently saying.Not like she had much of a choice.
And he’s right. She doesn’t. Amy was made for me, and it's as simple as that.
O’Neil nods. “Good, good. Well, c’mon you two, I’ll give you a tour of the docks. We do things old-fashioned around here, off the books. I don’t like the government in my business. And that’swhy I’m working with you. With your help, they stay off my back. Now, here’s some of your containers, Astero…”
As O’Neil shows us around, I can feel the potential in the air. Having a dock in America could be a gateway into the entire continent, possibly South America, too. I could build an extension of my empire here that could make me millions, if not billions.
I could grasp the world in my hands, conquer it all. Give it to Amy, just to see what she does with it. After all, thechallengeof gaining the world is the only real appeal for me. I don’t really need the riches or power. But it’ll be fun to see my humble little Amy holding it in her hands, unsure what to do with it, her eyes wide with shock.
I’m going to start with tomorrow, easing her into luxury, into grandeur. Soon, she won’t be staring up at chandeliers in awe—she’ll be used to it. Even if her gawking is adorable.
“So, how did you and Astero’s granddaughter meet?” O’Neil asked with his hands on his hips once he finished the tour, his lips upturned in a grin.
A flash of panic shows on Astero’s face because he’s a moron, but I expected questions like this. O’Neil seems genuinely interested, but I have no doubt he’s also testing us. I smile, putting the fondness I have for Amy into my answer. “Astero and I have been working together off and on for years. I came here for a meeting with him, and his niece was visiting him, experiencing the city for the first time. I knew when I first laid eyes on her that she was something special.”
None of it is false, but it’s not exactly true, either. Still, I know it comes across as more genuine this way, and it’s easier to remember the story I’m spinning to him if it’s based on fact.
Astero’s eyes widen, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was impressed. O’Neil, on the other hand, grins wider and nods. “Yeah, that’s how it was with me and my Peggy. I knewshe was the woman of my dreams the moment I saw her. Made me a nervous mess. Thank god she was gracious with me.” He laughs and takes another puff of his cigar. “Well, I’m happy for you both. And you, too, Astero. I know things were rough there a bit with your son cutting you off, but it seems like things worked out in the end and your family is growing.”
Astero gives a tight-lipped smile and nods. “Yes, it’s true. I’m quite happy with how things are going.” His tone is flat, and it doesn’t come across as very convincing. But everything Astero says feels shallow and ingenuine, so I’m hoping that O’Neil doesn’t think it’s unusual.
O’Neil gives a nod and then turns back to me. “So, Alasdair, was it?” I nod in confirmation. “Tell me about Ireland.”
The three of us start walking along the water’s edge. O’Neil and I walk side by side, with Astero slightly behind us. “Ah, but it’s the most beautiful country in the world,” I say with a smile.
“Ha! That’s what we all say. Then again, I don’t say that, but that’s because I’m from New Jersey. But Maine! A beautiful state. But what makes you think your country is so beautiful?”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Ah, but the green cliffs, the beautiful ocean, the charm of Dublin, the history, best stout and whiskey in the world. How can you get better than that? It’s always a party in Ireland. You should visit sometime. You’ll have the time of your life.”
O’Neil chuckles. “Hm. Maybe I will. I mean, my ancestors were from there, if you haven’t guessed that.”
I nod. “I guessed, considering your last name. Say the word, and I’ll host you gladly.”
O’Neil grins at me. “Yeah? I might just have to take you up on that. My missus has been begging for a vacation. She’d probably love Ireland. You know, I knew as soon as I saw you that we’d get along…” O’Neil rambles on for a few minutes, and in that time, I realize that I have nothing to fear. This man has bought our storycompletely, and he’s fallen for the Alasdair charm. But the few soured glances he sends at Astero, he might just like me better at this point.
By the time we head back to where our car is parked, I can tell Astero is fuming. He can tell that I’ve won over O’Neil and he isn’t happy about it.
He should be unhappy. It means I might not need him. It may even mean, if I play my cards right, I could cut Astero out of this arrangement entirely, giving me even more leverage in this situation.
Astero is in dangerous waters and he knows he has to be careful. I fully intend on reminding him of that every time he even comes close to stepping out of line.
O’Neil places a hand on Astero’s shoulder. “Astero, you wanna check on some of your shipments while you’re here? See how we have them organized?”
Astero nods. “That would be great. You don’t mind, do you, Alasdair?” He tries for a smile, but it comes across as more of a grin, as if he’s pleased with the opportunity to make me wait around. Something I take note of for later. I don’t appreciate people trying to waste my time.
But what this bleedin’ dope doesn’t understand is, I’ve already had a successful day. The only thing I have left to do today is make sure my Amy is taken care of, and arrange things for our time together tomorrow. Fifteen minutes won’t inconvenience me.
If Amy had been at the hotel waiting for me to return, however, things would be a different story. And, as far as Astero knows, that’s exactly the case.
If he thinks he’s going to prove himself worthy of getting into the Nameless with this type of behavior, he better fucking think again.
O’Neil shows us the organization chart of how the docks work, and then points out the grouping of Astero’s containers. He opens one of them for Astero, who steps in and looks over the internal organization, making sure his team did a good job.
As soon as Astero steps in, O’Neil grabs my arm and pulls me to the side, speaking quietly. “I need to warn you about him, Alasdair. Astero has been getting shifty in the past years, ever since his son cut him off. He’s clinging to his power. He’s had multiple blows to it, namely a kid named Marshall taking over the inner city. Astero’s ego is bruised. I think he’s just using you here, and he’s willing to do anything to get what he wants. He doesn’t have a whole lot left to lose, you know?”
